Sheila Ruffin said she remember Hurricane Katrina. After the storm hit in 2005 she stayed up for an all night prayer session and stumbled upon a Psalm.

"It stars out, 'Help me O Lord because the water has come up over my neck," Ruffin said. "We went, 'Oh my God!'."

Ruffin said she worked for months helping those displaced from Katrina.

New Orleans natives like Damon, who asked that we not reveal his identity, have already stumbled upon Columbia as a temporary refuge from Hurricane Gustav.

"I mean, I love home," Damon said. I would like to get back home if I can, but if not, I wouldn't mind being here in Columbia. It seems like a pretty nice place."

It is unclear how many people might end up in mid-Missouri. The Salvation Army said they are here for spiritual help, and will be working in conjunction with the Red Cross to set up shelter for those who do find themselves in Columbia.

"I know that's going to be heartbreaking to a lot of people to have to go and start over," Ruffin said.

"It takes years for us sometimes to process one traumatic event, and then to have that event resurface with another situation has to be horrible. For the whole city, for the psyche of the city," Damon said.